Whats the best Blow Torch to get?

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jimmock

I'm thinking of the Rothenberger Super Fire 2...I know these are great and have used one. But does anyone have any other recommended ones that they think I should compare against.


I mainly solder 15mm and 22mm.:)
 
Ive got a Superfire 2, Igniter/sparker has pack up, flame pulses, occansionly go out when soldering upside down, and imo-overpriced, are there any others to choose from?
 
SF2 for me too. And a spare camping gas thing in the van just in case - doubt I'll ever use it though.
 
Bullfinch Firepower. A lot more controllable than the Rothenberger IMO and a lot more reliable when using upside down. Started with a Rothenberger then moved to the Bullfinch.
 
My Super Fire 2 is brill. I'm on number 2, but the old one just needed a service. I think they're perfect.

Never tried a Bullfinch.
 
Rothenberger super fire 2 with mapp gas its brilliant. Yes over priced!
 
Mapp is hotter.... some times on 22mm pipe mainly you can burn the flux by over heating then you have to clean the fittings and start again.

Say if your on a 22mm tee and you have managed to solder 2 but the 3rd turns into a right mess because the flux has burnt you have to un-solder the other two.

Theres not alot of difference in the price so well worth a punt!
 
I used the SPF2 at college for 2 years and now have a bullfinch, much better, supprised well try onew for your self you wont regret it.
 
I have a SF2 - I love it - would not use anything else. I have never had any problems with it.
 
You are better keeping the mapp gas in the van until you need to boil a bit water out. Propane is hot enough.
 
tamz said:
You are better keeping the mapp gas in the van until you need to boil a bit water out. Propane is hot enough.
Click to expand...

Iv struggled once or twice. I use to propane until I saw how quick a neat mapp gas allows you to be.
 
Too much trouble with it burning the flux it is not worth it for me. Everyone to their own tho.
 
MAPP is like anything else - you just need experience to get the technique. You can also reduce the flame by turning down the valve if needed. I have even soldered fittings with my grandad's old Sievert paraffin pump-up blowtorch years ago and got quite slick at using that back then.
 
About September last year we had been talking about the old paraffin torches. On the Saturday night while full of the sauce i looked up ebay and put a tenner bid on everyone i saw.
I won 14 of them:p a couple still boxed and pickers included prices from about £3.50 to a tenner. Still, they are worth more in scrap than what i paid!
Just had to run out and buy 5 gallon of paraffin to play with them. The kids loved them as they didn't even know what paraffin was, especially when i made them go like a flame thrower with a 6ft flame.:)
Got them all polished up now. Looking the dogs.
 
Pssst.
Wanna buy a blowlamp
IMG_2414.jpg
The bottom right one is petrol the rest are paraffin.
 
They work fine on waste kerosene. My gandad's is still useful when I come to soft soldering tin sheet as the Superfire is a bit savage and the flame is too small.

Grandad used to have a monster paraffin blowtorch made by Monitor. THe flame was 2" in diameter and it held 4 pints of fuel. Sold it on Ebay ages ago and someone paid me £80 for it.

They are worth more to collectors if they still have the original paint finish.
 
ive had 2 rotherberger superfire and i dont rate them, infact rotherberger in general seem to be crap. ive had loads of wood bits and they last a couple of holes.....useless.
the one tool i do like of rothenberger is the grips! but sadly thats it.
but i recommend turbotorch which are sold in plumbwhares.
 
ive always used the turbo torch extreme, cheap plastic head but the neck can swivel and if you shop around can be found fair priced.
 
i use the extreme turbo torch used to have a superfire2, turbo torch is superior and quicker cost is around £60 inc vat
 
gotta be Superfire 2 for me, probably the only Rothenberger tool worth buying!
 
I,m looking at the bullfinch firepower autotorch does it use the same cylinders as the rothenburger, I have a superfire two but the bullfinch is only 34pds so I thought I would get a spare.
 
Bullfinch/Turbotorch/Benzomatic/Rothenberger cylinders are interchangeable (I suspect they are all made by the same company and the others just put their own labels on.)

Some torches can run on the refillable Primus type cartridges and I think you can get an adapter for them - check with manufacturers websites.
 
You can get an adapter for the primus bottles. You can then hammer nails in with it
 
My favourite torch at the moment has to be the Express Vulcane. Light wieght, wrap around flame, quick release interchangeable nozzles. MAPP or propane gas, lots of extras and spares available.
 
I use my turbo torch extreme for most jobs. it has a nice size flame and is very fast,brought mine off ebay for £30 including postage from usa, bargin. I still use my very first standard primus 2000 torch when working in close quarters to avoid buring wall paper, timbers etc.... On the odd bigger job the big bottle,hose and gun comes out of storage though its usually on a boiling ring to mek the tea.
 
I use a turbo torch- I cant fault it. Better than my old super fire 2 and a little cheaper to buy
 
I use a Benzomatic, they are very good and I can honestly say I have had no trouble with it (It was handed down to me so its a bit scratty)

As long as you look after them, I think they are worth the investment.
 
Defo recommend the Rothenberger SF 2, great torch. I know you can also buy the new SF 3 online, never used one but I think you have to buy gas refills that only fit that torch so probs one to steer clear of for the time being.
 
the best gas bottle ever hasnt been invented yet coz when yer trying ter light yer ***, if yer not carefull they will catch yer beard on fire!!!!
 
ive had a few, i usually mess em up by getting flux in them! maybe i shouldnt use them to put flux on eh???????????
cannot remember what my most recent one is, got fed up lookin, just use it to cook the solder and copper! tthe first one i had was great cannot remember its name and havnt seen one since. should check it out, it was cool.............or hot
 
im currently using the turbo torch extreme for the last couple of years and have been very happy with it although the piezo is starting to play up, am thinking of trying the bullfynch one from bes similar to the turbo torch. ive been through bout 2 or 3 superfire 2s and found them to fall apart to easily for my liking.
 
ive got the monument gasex at the moment. nice neat flame, doesnt feel like youve got a flame thrower.
 
just to update my previous post on this thread, ive just received my bullfinch firepower and it feels very solid with a nice neat flame. cost wise its half the price of the super fire 2 and hopefully twice as tough. (though thats not saying much)
 
[DLMURL="http://www.industrysafetytraining.co.uk/prods/81.html"]1660 BULLFINCH AUTO PERFORMER HEAD[/DLMURL]
this is the other one i have it cremates 15mm think its faulty
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I got a Superfire 2 in the end and I can't rate it enough....everytime my joints are perfect...thanks to all who posted here...i really do appreciate all your comments!!
 
Where's the cheapest/best deal to be had for the bullfinch?
 
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I use a quickfire , i have got a superfire 2 aswell,but i always use my quickfire.
 
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